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I RECEIVED a nice letter from Buddy
Bradley, president of the Board of Christian
Education of the Redeemer Lutheran Church
and School and thought I’d share it with you.
“Earlier this year, as I walked through the
hallway of Redeemer Lutheran School in
Pensacola, Florida, I heard someone call my
name. The familiar voice was that of Mrs.
Rucando the science teacher. She said, ‘Mr.
Bradley, we have our science series on flight
coming up soon.’
“I was happy to say, ‘I have already asked
Tony Stillman if he could help us again this
year.’
“Tony is the owner of Radio South and a
member of Northwest Florida Modelers Inc.
He has been very gracious in the past,
assisting our science program with the study
of flight. He was eager to help us again this
year. I only had to get the number of students
and time frames together for him. I informed
him of the possible times and of the 55
students who would be attending.
“Tony supplied the materials which he
purchased through the AMA Education
program. He opened with an introduction to
flight and an overview of the program.
Together with fellow modelers, Tony helped
students with instruction and building
procedures. He and several club members
devoted six Fridays—roughly three hours per
session.
“On the next to last Friday, each sixth,
seventh, and eighth grade held a contest.
Some of the models did exceptionally well.
Tony furnished prizes for the winners.
“May 14, the final Friday, Tony was out
of town competing in a Pattern contest,
however, several Northwest Florida Modelers
were on hand to help as the program ended
with a field trip to the Escambia County
Model Park. The class winners were
presented with certificates of achievement
from the Northwest Florida Modelers.
“Following a brief welcome and
explanation of field safety and operations, the
students were divided into four groups.
Clarence Keaton put on a flight
demonstration to the delight of everyone. The
groups then passed through a preflight area
with operational display models to receive
some basic training.
“Then the fun began! With four trainers in
the air from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., each of the
students got to fly at least once. Some had
more than one flight. Two of the teachers,
Mrs. Rucando and Mrs. Bryant, even tried
their skills at flight. Everyone had a great
time.
“At the end of the day, Jim Hartley,
Northwest Florida Modelers vice president,
gathered the students at the runway for a
question-and-answer session. After much
discussion, it was determined that the students
had to return to school.
“This was truly a wonderful experience for
Redeemer Lutheran School. The way that
Tony Stillman and members of the Northwest
Florida Modelers gave so freely of their time
and talents was fantastic. Our community is
blessed to have such people. Your
organization, AMA, has much to do with that.
Keep up the good work. Thanks again to
everyone involved.”
My thanks go out to Tony Stillman,
Gordon Dey, Frank Turchi, and the rest of the
Northwest Florida Modelers for their tireless
efforts in this endeavor in the past years.
The AMA has something in common with
the community of Pensacola, Florida. We too,
are blessed to have people such as the ones
who belong to the Northwest Florida
Modelers.
Focus on Education
Jack Frost
AMA Education
Coordinator
Tel.: (765) 287-1256
Ext. 274
[email protected]
11nov.qxd 8/23/04 10:30 am Page 148
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/11
Page Numbers: 148